Romans 7:13
Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse reveals that God's good Law doesn't cause sin but reveals it, exposing its true, destructive nature. Sin is the culprit, twisting the Law's goodness into an occasion for its own extreme wickedness and Paul's eventual death. This highlights how God uses His perfect standards not just to guide us, but to force us to confront the desperate state of our sinfulness.
Paul is explaining a complex paradox: how a good thing, God's law, could lead to death. He's anticipating the objection that if the law is good, it can't be the source of his condemnation. Paul clarifies that the law itself isn't the problem; it's sin, which uses the good law as a tool to expose its own devastating power and make itself appear all the more wicked.
Paul faces a tough question: if God's law is good, how can it lead to death? He rejects this idea with a strong 'God forbid!' This reveals a crucial distinction about how we experience God's Word.
Paul clarifies that the Law itself is not the source of death. It's good, holy, and just. The problem isn't with the Law, but with sin that is dwelling within us.
Think of it like this: a doctor prescribes a healthy diet and exercise plan (the good Law). If someone chooses to ignore it and eat junk food instead, they get sick. The doctor's plan isn't to blame for their illness; it's the person's sinful choice to disobey.
Paul is clearing the Law of any wrongdoing. It's a perfect standard, and its inability to save us doesn't make it bad. It highlights the real enemy: sin.
Paul explains that sin uses God's good Law like a tool to expose its own deadly nature. It's like a hidden virus that only shows up when exposed to a specific test.
The Law's primary work in this context isn't to save, but to reveal. When God's perfect standard confronts our fallen nature, sin is forced out into the open.
Understand the original words
thanatos · Greek Noun
The cessation of life; the consequence of sin, separation from God, and the ultimate penalty for rebellion against the Creator.
This passage presents the Ten Commandments, the 'good' law that Paul discusses, highlighting God's perfect standard for humanity.
Psalm 19:7This psalm echoes Paul's sentiment by stating 'The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul,' showing the inherent goodness of God's law which sin perverts.
Romans 5:20This verse directly states 'Now the law came in with so that the trespass might increase,' which parallels Paul's point that the law reveals and amplifies sin's terrible nature.
1 Corinthians 15:56Paul calls the sting of death sin, and the power of sin the law,' linking the law directly to sin's ability to bring death, reinforcing the theme in Romans 7.
1 John 3:4This verse states that 'sin is lawlessness,' providing a foundational definition that explains why God's good law so starkly reveals the sinfulness of our actions and desires.
barnesRomans 7:13: "Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful."
Was then that which is good ... - This is another objection which the apostle proceeds to answer. The objection is this, "Can it be possible that what is admitted to be good and pure, should be changed into evil? Can what tends to life, be made death to a man?" In answer to this, the ap…
cambridgeRomans 7:13: "Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful."
13 . that which is good ] These words are emphatic in the Gr.—He has said ( Romans 7:10 ) that the commandment was found to be, in respect of him, “ unto death.” Here he rejects the thought that it was death; a principle, or true cause, of death. made ] The Gr. verb is simply did it bec…
The verse reveals that God's good Law doesn't cause sin but reveals it, exposing its true, destructive nature. Sin is the culprit, twisting the Law's goodness into an occasion for its own extreme wickedness and Paul's eventual death. This highlights how God uses His perfect standards not just to guide us, but to force us to confront the desperate state of our sinfulness.
Paul is explaining a complex paradox: how a good thing, God's law, could lead to death. He's anticipating the objection that if the law is good, it can't be the source of his condemnation. Paul clarifies that the law itself isn't the problem; it's sin, which uses the good law as a tool to expose its own devastating power and make itself appear all the more wicked.
Paul is explaining a complex paradox: how a good thing, God's law, could lead to death. He's anticipating the objection that if the law is good, it can't be the source of his condemnation. Paul clarifies that the law itself isn't the problem; it's sin, which uses the good law as a tool to expose its own devastating power and make itself appear all the more wicked.
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"Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure." — The verse reveals that God's good Law doesn't cause sin but reveals it, exposing its true, destructive nature. Sin is the culprit, twisting the Law's goodness into an occasion for its own extreme w…
